Summary
A Luxurious Getaway at the Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab, a seven-star hotel in Dubai, offers an unparalleled luxurious experience. Situated on a man-made island, the hotel features only suites, with rooms costing a staggering $3,000 per night. I spent the day exploring the hotel’s opulence and indulging in its lavish amenities.
A Grand Breakfast Buffet
The breakfast buffet was a highlight, featuring a variety of stations, chilled meats and cheeses, dairy products. A chocolate fondue station stood out, and I couldn’t resist trying a chocolate hazelnut financier, milkshake, and various cheeses. Although the absence of bacon was notable, the quality and organization of the offerings impressed me.
A Luxurious Room Tour
I had the privilege of touring one of the three “club suite C” rooms, which costs $3,000 per day and offered breathtaking views from the 19th floor. The room was massive, with multiple seating areas, a bar with a refrigerated section stocked with drinks, and opulent decorations featuring gold accents throughout.
A High-End Residence Tour
The main level featured a flat-screen TV, high-end alcohol, and an assortment of snacks. A circular dining room, a guest bathroom with a karaoke reverb, and a full kitchen with gold-plated appliances added to the luxury. Upstairs, the bedroom had a lobby-like area, a seating area, and an over-the-top decor, making me feel like Aladdin.
Lunch Buffet at Alwan
After the tour, I headed to try the lunch buffet at Alwan, which costs $140 per person. The buffet offered a range of options, including Arabic salads, main courses, seafood, and desserts. I particularly enjoyed a specialty dish with soft and juicy meat on top of rice, as well as a Prussian salad and a beet salad with a creamy sauce.
Middle Eastern-Inspired Buffet
I explored a Middle Eastern-inspired buffet, marveling at the variety of dishes, including lamb, prawns, lady fish fingers, lamb burgers, and kebabs. I was particularly excited about the tum, a white garlic sauce I had in Lebanon. Although the shrimp was disappointingly dry, I moved on to other dishes, hoping to find something more impressive.
Disappointing Buffet Experience
Unfortunately, one buffet experience was a letdown. I tried a crab that smelled bad, a muscle that was not flavorful, and shrimp that was just average. The only decent item was a cheese dessert, but overall, the buffet was one of the worst I’ve ever been to, and not worth the money.
Room Service at the Bourj Al Arab
I ordered room service, trying a variety of dishes including oysters, chicken wings, and a Wagyu beef burger. Although the prices were steep, with the oysters costing around $17 each and the chicken wings $36, the quality of the food was high, with the oysters being fresh and crunchy and the chicken being juicy.
Conclusion
I concluded my stay at the Burj Al Arab, giving it four out of seven stars. While the hotel’s opulence was impressive, the food experience was overpriced, including a $60 soggy burger and a $140 lunch buffet that was underwhelming. I acknowledge that for some, the experience may be worth the nightly price tag, but for others, it may not be justified.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Opulence | A state of great wealth or luxury. | The hotel’s opulence was impressive, with gold accents throughout. |
| Luxurious | Characterized by great comfort, elegance, and refinement. | The luxurious room tour featured breathtaking views from the 19th floor. |
| Buffet | A meal where food is served in a public area and guests serve themselves. | The lunch buffet at Alwan offered a range of options, including Arabic salads and seafood. |
| High-end | Of exceptionally high quality or luxury. | The main level featured high-end alcohol and an assortment of snacks. |
| Man-made island | An island created by human construction or land reclamation. | The Burj Al Arab is situated on a man-made island in Dubai. |
| Seven-star hotel | A hotel that exceeds the standard five-star rating, offering exceptional luxury and service. | The Burj Al Arab is a seven-star hotel in Dubai, offering an unparalleled luxurious experience. |
| Room service | A service where food is delivered to a guest’s room. | I ordered room service, trying a variety of dishes including oysters and chicken wings. |
| Wagyu beef | A type of high-quality beef from Wagyu cattle, known for its tenderness and flavor. | I tried a Wagyu beef burger through room service. |
| Karaoke reverb | A type of audio effect that enhances the sound of a singer’s voice, often used in karaoke. | The guest bathroom featured a karaoke reverb. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘extremely rich and expensive’?
A) Luxurious
B) Opulent
C) Lavish
D) Unparalleled
2. Which word means ‘a mixture of foods, especially sweet ones’?
A) Buffet
C) Fondue
B) Financier
D) Dessert
3. Which word means ‘extremely good or impressive’?
A) Breathtaking
B) Impressive
C) Notable
D) Over-the-top
4. Which word means ‘extremely bad or unpleasant’?
A) Disappointing
B) Underwhelming
C) Average
D) Letdown
5. Which word means ‘extremely high in price’?
A) Steep
B) Expensive
C) Overpriced
D) High-end
Answer Key:
1. C
2. C
3. A
4. D
5. C
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: Using the Present Perfect to Describe Past Experiences
Grammar Quiz:
1. By the time I arrived at the hotel, ____________________ a luxurious room.
A) I had booked
B) I have booked
C) I was booking
D) I book
2. The author ____________________ a variety of dishes at the lunch buffet.
A) has tried
C) had tried
was trying
3. By the time I finished the tour, I ____________________ a range of options at the buffet.
A) had seen
B) have seen
C) was seeing
D) see
4. The author ____________________ a disappointing buffet experience.
A) has had
B) was having
C) had
D) is having
5. By the time I concluded my stay, I ____________________ a variety of dishes through room service.
A) have tried
B) had tried
C) was trying
D) try
Answer Key:
1. A) I had booked
2. A) has tried
3. A) had seen
4. A) has had
5. A) have tried